Simultaneously traversing: the pinnacle of all realms

After Halloween, Hogwarts returned to its usual tranquility.

The school attributed the troll incident to an "accidental external intrusion," but many wizarding parents still wrote in to criticize the school's security issues.

For example, pure-blood families like the Malfoys.

Xavier didn't pay much attention to this, continuing his regular life with classes, library visits, and common room visits, occasionally communicating with his parents through Popo.

The only difference was that Professor McGonagall found him the morning after Halloween and asked him to go to the principal's office that afternoon.

-

At three o'clock in the afternoon, Xavier stood in front of the gargoyle outside the principal's office and gave the password.

The gargoyle jumped aside, revealing the spiral staircase behind it.

Dumbledore's office was a spacious, bright, round room, with portraits of past headmasters hanging on the walls, all of whom were now conversing in hushed tones.

Many silverwares were displayed on the long, narrow table, emitting wisps of smoke.

Phoenix Fox perched on the perch by the door, its amber eyes quietly watching Xavier.

Dumbledore sat behind his desk, his silver beard reaching his waist, and crescent-shaped glasses perched on his nose.

He gave Xavier a gentle smile when he saw him enter.

"Ah, Mr. Xavier, please have a seat. Would you like a lemon Olaf?"

"Thank you, Principal, but no need." Xavier sat down in the chair.

Dumbledore didn't insist, popped a candy into his mouth, and looked at Xavier through his glasses.

"Professor McGonagall has already told me in detail what happened on Halloween night," he said.

"You acted calmly and decisively."

He paused for a moment, his expression turning serious.

"The abilities you've demonstrated—Professor McGonagall says you can sense life within a certain range, and some inhuman characteristics will appear on your body."

This ability is not common among wizards, but it is not without precedent.

Out of an abundance of caution, I'd like to take you to the medical wing for a full check-up to ensure this ability doesn't have any negative impact on you.

Xavier nodded.

He understood Dumbledore's intention—in the magical world, any unknown power could come with risks.

"Yes, Principal."

Dumbledore stood up. "Then let's go now. Madam Pomfrey is already waiting."

-

The medical wing was, as always, filled with the smell of medicine and disinfectant.

Mrs. Pomfrey was a short, stout witch with an undeniable air of authority on her round face.

Seeing Dumbledore and Xavier enter, she put down the medical record book in her hand and patted the bed.

"Lie down. Take off your robe."

Xavier did as instructed.

Madam Pomfrey took out a long, thin wand and waved it up and down on him, chanting some incantations.

The tip of the wand sometimes glows green, sometimes turns blue, and sometimes vibrates slightly.

Dumbledore stood aside, observing quietly.

About twenty minutes later, Madam Pomfrey put away her wand and turned to Dumbledore.

"No problem," she said, her tone crisp and decisive.

"He is very healthy—in fact, much healthier than the average person."

His bone hardness, physical strength, and internal organ function all far exceed normal levels. As for that bloodline ability—"

She glanced at the antlers that had mysteriously appeared on Xavier's head. "No trace of any curse or dark magic was found. It's a natural, benign bloodline trait, similar to the Veela bloodline. It won't harm him."

"There's one more thing," Mrs. Pomfrey added.

"His magical energy level is unusually high. For his age, it's quite remarkable. If he wants, he can work harder on his magic—his physique is very tolerant of magical fluctuations."

Xavier sat up in bed and began to get dressed.

Dumbledore walked over to him and patted him on the shoulder. "Don't worry, Mr. Xavier. Your bloodline is a gift, not a burden. It's just—"

He paused, his gaze lingering on the antlers for a moment. "You might need to be a little more careful in public. Not everyone has the same level of insight as Mrs. Pomfrey."

"I understand," Xavier said.

"Very good, you can go back now."

"Oh, right—" Dumbledore pulled a small bag of candy from his robes.

"Are you sure you don't want Lemon Olaf?"

Xavier twitched his lips, reached out and took it. "Thank you, Principal."

Dumbledore looked even happier as he watched Xavier accept the candy.

-

After the medical examination, Xavier gained a clearer understanding of his body.

He is indeed much stronger than his peers, and that strength is steadily increasing with his daily training.

He continued his training and practiced the power generation techniques he had learned from his two other selves in different worlds.

Some of those martial arts techniques cannot be used directly in this world—because they lack the internal energy to power them.

But bodily memory is universal; he knows how to produce the greatest effect with the least amount of effort, how to adjust his center of gravity to maintain balance, and how to unleash power far beyond that of ordinary people in an instant.

-

Harry said he would take him somewhere, and on Saturday afternoon, Xavier arrived at the foyer as promised.

Harry was already waiting there, with Ron and Hermione standing beside him. Hermione was holding a book and nodded slightly when she saw Xavier.

"Let's go," Harry said, leading everyone out of the castle gates.

The grounds were covered with fallen leaves in late autumn, and the wind at the edge of the forbidden forest carried the scent of damp earth.

Hagrid's cottage sits in the shadow of the castle, smoke rising from its chimney, and looks like a warm oil painting from afar.

Hagrid had heard the commotion long ago. He opened the huge wooden door, his stubble-covered face beaming with smiles.

"Oh, you've come! Come in, come in!"

Xavier entered the cabin and glanced around—the fireplace was burning brightly, and dried ham and herbs hung from the ceiling.

Hagrid's gaze fell on Xavier, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"You're Xavier? Professor McGonagall mentioned you to me—saying you're somewhat special."

He bent down, leaning closer. "Can I take a look?"

Harry and his two friends were a little confused, wondering what they were talking about.

Xavier did not refuse.

With a thought, antlers sprouted from the top of his head, and his ears became pointed. Hagrid gasped, his eyes widening like saucers.

Harry and his two companions looked surprised as well.

"Merlin's beard! I've never seen anything like it!" The group circled Xavier, examining him as if he were a rare animal.

"What did Dumbledore say?"

"To say there are no negative effects is a benign trait in one's lineage," Xavier said calmly.

Hagrid's love for magical creatures is well-known, and Xavier being categorized as "an object of study" is somewhat subtle, but not entirely unexpected.

"That's good, that's good..." Hagrid muttered, then suddenly slapped his forehead.

"Oh, right, tea! I brewed some tea, and—I made rock cakes!"

He turned and brought over a huge teapot and a plate of large, earthy-yellow, cake-like objects from the table.

Harry and Ron's faces turned slightly pale.

Hermione picked up a piece and tapped it with her knuckles, making a dull "thump-thump" sound.

Hagrid enthusiastically pushed the plate towards Xavier: "Try it! It's my cooking, I guarantee it'll be delicious!"

Xavier picked up a piece of rock crust.

It's heavier than it looks, and its surface is rough, so it seems like it could be used as a shield.

Under the incredulous gazes of Harry, Meghan, and Harry, he took a bite, making a crisp "crunch".

Hagrid watched him nervously.

Xavier chewed it, then chewed it again, and then swallowed it.

"It's alright," he said.

That's the truth. The rock crust was indeed hard, but it wasn't too bad for him.

Hagrid's eyes lit up: "Doesn't it taste good?!"